Traveling in Tangier

The most Northwesterly point of Africa. This is near where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean.

Just a quick disclaimer. My laptop died a quick and hopefully painless death last night. Blue screen of death and nothing I can do. At least there is a hotel computer tonight, but not really holding my breath for the rest of the trip.

Today was such a waste. I had arranged a taxi to meet me at the hotel at 6 so I could make my 7:30 ferry to Spain. True enough, he was there at 6, we were at the Port Med by 6:45, but the ferry office wasn't open. The weather had stopped ferries from going, or Life was just messing with me yet again. The ferry finally left at 10:30. Easy peasey. Was in Spain by 1:30, made it through passport control and headed off to find the car rental. Ok, so I had to jump 4 concrete median barriers, run across 3 lanes of traffic to get to a sidewalk, but I did it. Gibraltar was on!! Until I saw that the car rental place was closed until 4:30 for siesta. I sat on a concrete flower bed for almost 3 hours waiting for it to open. All of this waiting, yet nothing I could

do about it. I did finally get my car, figure out how to get to the Rock Hotel and here I am.

Yesterday was a great day. I hired a taxi (with doors that closed) to take me to the Cap Spartel, the Northwest most point of Africa. Great view, blue sky, beautiful water. The Atlantic and Mediterranean meet in this area, so it is beautiful. I will go back when I am able and load some photos if you would like to check back. From there we headed to Hercules Caves, but saw a camel ride place along the way. As cheesy as it may sound, I wanted my picture taken on a camel, but I wanted something real, not some camel in a parking lot of the local mall. This was incredible. I was taken down to a deserted beach for a ride and lots of pictures. It was more than I had imagined. What an incredible experience. I just wish I could post the pictures to show you. The caves were small and kind of a let down, but the whole morning was worth it.

walk by myself through the Medina and Kasbah. Not a chance in the lifetime. I had so many "friends" wanting to walk with me and show me their city. To be honest, I know how a mouse feels when it is put in a snake's cage. There really was no way to get away. And believe me I tried. I did ditch the one from the other day, but had someone from the hotel??? walk with me. It all ends the same. Show me the money. Luckily he had to go pray, so I had a little free time. I did brush off everyone else. Without an ATM card money is tight and I was done with the charity. One vendor was trying to sell me handmade Berber belts. Fine I thought, they look nice, until I saw the Nike name and Swoosh on one. Really??? I don't think Nike has allowed individual Berbers in the desert the rights to their name and logo. Somehow I think it was not a handmade belt. Shocked, I tell you, I was shocked that someone would try to rip off a tourist. Morocco has been a very fun place, but I will say

that I felt that I was a prey most of the time here. It is nice to be in Gibraltar tonight. Hopefully the rest of the trip will be less "in my face."

That's all I really have time for. As I said, I will post pictures when I am able. And please don't worry if I don't write for a few days. I am fine and things really are going well. As they say on tv, "Please stand by for Technical Difficulties."

Well, through good timing and lots of luck, I am about to hit the skies again. It has been far too long since my last journey. As much as I love going to visit my family each year, the act of heading to the airport and climbing on a plane to the homeland lacks the edge, excitement and the element of the unknown that a trip abroad brings. This is another true Brendan trip that will wind from Perth on the Western Coast, where I get to meet a Travelblog friend, all the way across the continent to Sydney via the Indian Pacific Railway. From there it is a short hop up to the Outback and Uluru, and... full info

I've always pictured camel rides out in the middle of nowhere, not on a public road. As for the belts... that's insane! And to think that there are actually a lot of people who do fall prey to that sort of thing and end up buying them!